victory as his. Certainly the results were generally that
way.

On hearing of Thorne's activities, Plant drove down to see him. He puffed
along the passageway to Thorne's room. The Inspector was pecking away at
his portable typewriter and did not look up as the fat man entered.

Plant surveyed the bent back for a moment.

"Look here," he demanded, "I hear you're still investigating my
district--as well as doing 'clerical work.'"

"I am," snapped Thorne without turning his head.

"Am I to consider myself under investigation?" demanded Plant
truculently. To this direct question he, of course, expected a denial--a
denial which he would proceed to demolish with threats and abuse.

"You are," said Thorne, reaching for a fresh sheet of paper.

Plant stared at him a moment; then went out. Next day he drove away on
the stage, and was no more seen for several weeks.

This did not trouble Thorne. He began to reach in all directions for
evidence. At first there came to him only those like the Pollock boys
who were openly at outs with Plant, and so had nothing to lose by
antagonizing him further. Then, hesitating, appeared others. Many of
these grievances Thorne found to be imaginary; but in several cases he
was able to elicit definite affidavits as to graft and irregularity.
Evidence of bribery was more difficult to obtain. Plant's easy-going
ways had made him friends, and his facile suspension of gracing
regulations--for a consideration--appealed strongly to self-interest.
However, as always in such cases, enough had at some time felt
themselves discriminated against to entertain resentment. Thorne took
advantage of this both to get evidence, and to secure information that
enabled him to frighten evidence out of others.

The vouchers arrived from Washington. In them Plant's methods showed
clearly. Thorne early learned that it had been the Supervisor's habit to
obtain duplicate bills for everything--purchases, livery, hotels and the
like. He had explained to the creditors that a copy would be necessary
for filing, and of course the mountain people knew no better. Thus, by a
trifling manipulation of dates, Plant had been able to collect twice
over for his expenses.

"There is the plumb limit," said Martin, while running over the vouchers
he had given. He showed Thorne two bearing the same date. One read:

"_To team and driver to Big Baldy post office, $4._"

"That item's all right," said Martin; "I drove him there mys